Cyber operation units to be 'major wing' of Oz defence forces by 2025, says security expert

Sydney, July 12 (ANI): Cyber operation units will increasingly be a part of the army, navy and air force as a major wing of Australia's defence forces to combat cyber warfare, an online security expert has revealed.

Queensland University of Technology's Bill Caelli has said that by the year 2025, cyber operations units will form a major part of ground combat in the Australian armed forces.

In the U.S, authorities have already agreed to sponsor courses for cyber operation experts trained in limiting an enemy's ability to attack and Caelli said that this will be follow in Australia as well.

"What we're seeing happen is a global recognition that cyber operations are real. By 2025 cyber operations units will become a major part of any defence activity, alongside the military, air force and navy," News.com.au quoted Professor Caelli, the founder of the university's security research centre, told news.com.au.

Caelli said it was "inevitable" computer systems and information infrastructure would become the focus of future attacks as major world economies became more dependent on them.

"There will be a need to counter-attack the information infrastructure of those who are attacking us," he said.

As an online security expert, he claimed that it was "inevitable" computer systems and information infrastructure would become the focus of future attacks as major world economies became more dependent on them.

"There will be a need to counter-attack the information infrastructure of those who are attacking us," he said.

Caelli said it was essential to regulate the IT industry, in a similar way to the automobile and pharmaceutical industries, to ensure users are being provided with safe, secure products and services.

He further said that smart phones and tablets were particularly at risk, not just from viruses but also from the prying eyes of governments and "forces that are hostile to our interests". (ANI)